Putin Urges Seven-Way Online Heads of State Summit on Iran

Aug. 14, 2020 (EIRNS)—Russian President Vladimir Putin has proposed a heads-of-state video summit involving the permanent five members of UN Security Council, plus Germany—the original members of the JCPOA—and Iran, to head off a crisis stemming from U.S. efforts to maintain the UN arms embargo on Iran come hell or high water. “Debates around the Iranian issue within the UN Security Council are becoming increasingly strained,” Putin said in a statement posted on the Kremlin website.

“Tensions are running high. Iran faces groundless accusations. Resolutions are being drafted with a view to dismantling decisions that had been unanimously adopted by the Security Council.” However, “We strongly believe that these problems can be overcome if we treat each other’s positions with due attention and responsibility, while acting respectfully and in a collective spirit.”

“Accordingly, we propose convening an online meeting of the heads of state of the permanent members of the UN Security Council, with the participation of the heads of Germany and Iran, as soon as possible, in order to outline steps that can prevent confrontation or a spike in tensions within the UN Security Council,”

Putin said. “It is important to secure collective support for the implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 2231 that sets forth an international legal framework for the execution of the JCPOA.

“During this leaders’ meeting, we propose agreeing on parameters for joint efforts to facilitate the emergence of reliable mechanisms in the Persian Gulf region for ensuring security and confidence building,” Putin continued. “This can be achieved if our countries and the regional states combine their political will and creative energy.” Putin warned that if it is not done, “we could see the further escalation of tension and an increased risk of conflict. This must be avoided. Russia is open to working constructively with anyone interested in taking the situation back from the dangerous brink.”

Not all six other responses to Putin’s proposal are yet available. Reuters reports that when asked if he would take part, U.S. President Donald Trump replied to media: “I hear there’s something, but I haven’t been told of it yet.” The Elysée Palace said, however, that French President Emmanuel Macron is open to taking part in a video summit.